Silent Soldier in Ringwood Parish Churchyard

Published by Sam Swyer on Wed, 7 Nov 2018 09:58

Silent Silhouettes

You may have noticed an addition to our Churchyard over the past few weeks and indeed throughout the town. These Silent Silhouettes have been placed to mark the final year of the World War One centenary. The Royal British Legion invited the public to take part in a movement to say 'Thank You' to the First World War generation who served, sacrificed, rebuilt and changed the nation.

In support of the Thank You movement we are have a Silent Silhouette in the churchyard of Ringwood Parish Church. There were a variety of silhouettes available to symbolise the communities that took part in WW1, as they shaped the nation as we know it today.

You may have seen more silhouettes around the town. they are near life-size and can be found fixed to a wall or attached to an upright post in public or private spaces.

In addition to the iconic image of a 'Tommy' (our original Silent Soldier) there are equally significant representatives of the members of the communities the nation says thank you to, including those who gave medical support, soldiers from across the commonwealth, RAF/RFC, Navy, munition factory workers and suffragettes who lead the fight for votes for women. They all helped makes us the nation we are today.

These serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made during the First World War and have at their base the words 'Lest we Forget'.